In this class, Introduction to American Education, I was introduced to many personal knowledge based websites. Prior to this class, I did not use any of those websites nor did I even know they existed. Some of the personal knowledge based websites I used were Evernote, Evernote Clipper, Zotero, and some others. These websites were used to help organize notes, resources, articles, summaries, etc. These tools are useful because there is no right or wrong way to utilize them. The information that was saved using these tools was useful during class discussions, research projects, writing papers and looking back on something took notes on. Although I was not familiar with these personal knowledge based websites before the class, I used them to the best of my ability throughout the semester.
My most challenging class this semester was Sex and Western Society. When I selected the class I had no idea what I was in for. While I have no problem learning about sex, the class was very graphic and vulgar. It was unexpected. This class is new to the university and there is really no set curriculum for it. Usually one thinks that having two professors teach the class will be beneficial, however, for this class it was disastrous. The two professors had no communication with each other and it was very obvious. The work load was probably the most I had this semester. Not only was it several pages of multiple articles per night, the language which the articles were written in was hard to comprehend due to the fact they were from centuries ago. For many of the classes, we had a different professor come into class and give a lecture on a topic which they were experts on. This made it difficult to learn because of the various different teaching styles. I have been struggling all semester with this class, as well as many other students have been. We used group study groups to help teach the material to each other. We also made in depth study guides before the tests to go over.
At the beginning of the semester I was having trouble studying. I would be studying for hours but I would see no positive results. I decided to be proactive and make an appointment at the Academic Enhancement Center. That decision was one of the best things I did for myself. I went back to see my academic coach week after week. By doing this, I learned new ways to study. The first thing I learned about studying is that you can never over do it. You do not stop studying until you know it well enough to teach someone else. I learned that the best way to study was to make a study guide. I used the following steps to study: First go over the teachers notes that were posted on sakai, then add anything into your notes that you did not already have, highlight the main points of the definition, make sure you have an example to go along with the definition, finally, handwrite a study guide and go over the study guide multiple times. I also used different colored pens for different terms to that it was clear which term was which. After using this strategy, I did see positive results with my exam grades.
At the beginning of the semester I used Evernote a decent amount. As the semester went on, I did not use it that much. I did not feel that it did anything to enhance my learning. I did not have a problem taking handwritten notes, so why change whats working. I like handwriting my notes better, I feel that it is more effective and beneficial. I can remember things easier when I handwrite things. It was also very confusing to me, I did not know how to use it in the beginning of the semester and I did not learn how to utilize it better throughout the semester. I did use Evernote Clipper more than I used Evernote. The Clipper allowed me to save references or articles that I would need at a later time. I like this tool a lot because I can use it to save other references and articles non school related. It also is a better way to view the article in my opinion. All in all, I would rather handwrite my notes instead of using Evernote or other personal knowledge based websites.
While I believe technology is improving society and is beneficial, I think that there are some things that are better off staying traditional. It is important to know how to do things without using technology. Those who lived many centuries ago survived without technology, so I think we can too. There are certainly many great aspects of technology and things that make life easier, but it is important to remember that you can do things without relying on technology.
My most challenging class this semester was Sex and Western Society. When I selected the class I had no idea what I was in for. While I have no problem learning about sex, the class was very graphic and vulgar. It was unexpected. This class is new to the university and there is really no set curriculum for it. Usually one thinks that having two professors teach the class will be beneficial, however, for this class it was disastrous. The two professors had no communication with each other and it was very obvious. The work load was probably the most I had this semester. Not only was it several pages of multiple articles per night, the language which the articles were written in was hard to comprehend due to the fact they were from centuries ago. For many of the classes, we had a different professor come into class and give a lecture on a topic which they were experts on. This made it difficult to learn because of the various different teaching styles. I have been struggling all semester with this class, as well as many other students have been. We used group study groups to help teach the material to each other. We also made in depth study guides before the tests to go over.
At the beginning of the semester I was having trouble studying. I would be studying for hours but I would see no positive results. I decided to be proactive and make an appointment at the Academic Enhancement Center. That decision was one of the best things I did for myself. I went back to see my academic coach week after week. By doing this, I learned new ways to study. The first thing I learned about studying is that you can never over do it. You do not stop studying until you know it well enough to teach someone else. I learned that the best way to study was to make a study guide. I used the following steps to study: First go over the teachers notes that were posted on sakai, then add anything into your notes that you did not already have, highlight the main points of the definition, make sure you have an example to go along with the definition, finally, handwrite a study guide and go over the study guide multiple times. I also used different colored pens for different terms to that it was clear which term was which. After using this strategy, I did see positive results with my exam grades.
At the beginning of the semester I used Evernote a decent amount. As the semester went on, I did not use it that much. I did not feel that it did anything to enhance my learning. I did not have a problem taking handwritten notes, so why change whats working. I like handwriting my notes better, I feel that it is more effective and beneficial. I can remember things easier when I handwrite things. It was also very confusing to me, I did not know how to use it in the beginning of the semester and I did not learn how to utilize it better throughout the semester. I did use Evernote Clipper more than I used Evernote. The Clipper allowed me to save references or articles that I would need at a later time. I like this tool a lot because I can use it to save other references and articles non school related. It also is a better way to view the article in my opinion. All in all, I would rather handwrite my notes instead of using Evernote or other personal knowledge based websites.
While I believe technology is improving society and is beneficial, I think that there are some things that are better off staying traditional. It is important to know how to do things without using technology. Those who lived many centuries ago survived without technology, so I think we can too. There are certainly many great aspects of technology and things that make life easier, but it is important to remember that you can do things without relying on technology.